Pros and Cons of Integrating Non-Financial Services in Microfinance

2018 ◽  
pp. 171-199
Author(s):  
Nhung Thi Hong Vu
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Need Support ◽  
Microfinance Institution ◽  
Pros And Cons

Microfinance as argued in recent literature is not a panacea for poverty reduction as it was expected. The poor may need support from various ranges of non-financial services including business development services and social services alongside microfinance services. The main aim of this chapter is to provide policymakers and practitioners some discussions on the pros and cons of integrating non-financial services together with microfinance services. This chapter proposes a framework of both positive and negative effects of providing non-financial services on microfinance institutions and clients. A case study of offering non-financial services in a microfinance institution in Vietnam provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence of effects on the microfinance institution and its clients.

scholarly journals Microfinance Complementarity and Trade-Off between Financial Performance and Social Impact

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trong V. Ngo
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Trade Offs

There is a widespread belief that providing access to financial services (microfinance) or reaching the poor with microcredit are perfect solutions to establish a sustainable economy or to help kick-start a bottom-up recovery and social development animated by the poor themselves through self-employment and microenterprises. Microfinance has therefore become an important instrument for poverty alleviation and for improving the welfare of the poor in both developing and transition economies. Due to the difficulty of targeting the poor, who have a lack of collateral, microfinance institutions (MFIs) are called on to achieve a balance between social impact (poverty reduction) and positive financial performance. This paper assumes that the financial objectives of MFIs operate in opposition to each other and that a trade-off is inevitable. Unbalanced panel data of MFIs for the period 1995-2013 has been extracted from the MIX Market website. In order to solve the endogeneity problem, this paper employed the dynamic system GMM (generalized method of moments) of Blundell and Bond (1998) that is considered as the new methodology currently in use in the empirical investigation of the financial performance in banking and finance. This paper outlines some of the parameters that affect the nature of trade-offs and complementarities between social and financial objectives in microfinance performance, and provides empirical evidence from cross-country analysis. Sustainability has a positive link with outreach. MFIs tend to expand their outreach in order to achieve sustainability, based on the advantages of the economies of scale. However, a threshold which makes the trade-offs or complementarities between financial and social objectives reverse if it goes beyond a certain point is also observed.

scholarly journals EXAMINING THE OUTREACH OF ISLAMIC CHARITY BASED MICROFINANCE PROGRAMS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 849-872
Author(s):  
Aimatul Yumna ◽  
Matthew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Logit Model ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Selection Policy ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Islamic Microfinance

One of the advantages of using Islamic social funds is the increased ability of microfinance institutions to provide financial services to the poor. This study aims to (1) investigates the characteristics of the clients of the Islamic Charity Based Microfinance (ICBM) program; (2) test whether the clients ICBM program are more vulnerable than the non clients group (3) discuss the rationale of why poor excluded from the zakat based microfinance program. The study was conducted in the microfinance program at zakat institutions namely Baitul Maal Muamalat (BMMI), BAZNAS, and Baitul Maal Beringharjo (BMB). A total of 236 respondents including clients and non-clients of three case study institutions were participated in this study. The data is analyzed using binomial logit model to evaluate factors affecting clients participation in ICBM programs in Indonesia. The findings show that clients and non-clients of ICBM have a similar demographic profile and the majority ICBM clients live above the national poverty line, yet they live perilously close to the edge of the poverty line. Using logistic regression, this study found that the higher the client’s income level, the higher the probability of their being selected in the program. This findings contradict with the existing Islamic microfinance  literature that claim ICBM institutions in general could demonstrate a capacity to extend their services more widely to the poorest if Islamic charity is the main source of microfinance funding. This study suggests some possible barriers to include the poor in the microfinance including institutional selection policy and self exclusion factors.

scholarly journals Securitization: An Alternative Funding Mechanism for the Microfinance Institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Shahadat Hossain ◽  
Rubaiyet Hasan Khan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Alternative Funding ◽  
Funding Mechanism ◽  
The Poor

Despite microfinance has been widely appreciated as an informal financial mechanism to provide financial services to the poor people in developing countries, this sector is still lacking behind in fulfilling the demand gap due to the dearth of adequate funds. Securitization opens a new horizon that overcomes the funding barriers of microfinance through which the top tier Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) can accumulate funds to enlarge their portfolio without issuing any debt or equity. This paper is a desk study that synthesizes how securitization can be used in the funding of the MFI portfolio and what are the benefits and risks associated with securitization of microfinance portfolio. As a case study, we use the two examples of cross-border securitizations in the microfinance industry to diagnose the role of securitization in microfinance.

scholarly journals Effect of Regulation on Outreach of Microfinance Institutions in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Ama Quartey ◽  
Bernice Kotey
Keyword(s):  
Central Bank ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Government

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play an important role in enhancing the growth potential of small businesses. However, while regulation ensures that MFIs are financially sustainable, compliance compels them to make large-sized loans to wealthy clients in order to reduce the risk of lending and minimize administrative costs, a situation that compromises their main goal of reaching out to the poor. The study therefore, examined the effect of regulation on breadth and depth of outreach by microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Ghana. The purpose of the study is to find out whether regulation has enabled MFIs to increase their outreach (breadth and depth) thereby improving their sustainability. A mixed methods research design was employed, involving initial hypotheses testing with 31 self-regulated and 24 Central bank-regulated MFIs. The findings were then triangulated with a qualitative research design involving 13 Central bank-regulated and 20 self-regulated MFIs. The results showed that regulations increased the client base of MFIs but reduced the percentage of poor clients served, largely women. It is recommended that the government set up a fund for poor clients to be accessed by well-performing MFIs for provision of financial services to the poor to assist in poverty reduction.

The Heterogeneous Nature of Urban Poor Families

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Salcedo ◽  
Alejandra Rasse
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Families ◽  
Heterogeneous Nature ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Different Cultures

This paper addresses the scholarly debate on cultural homogeneity or heterogeneity of urban poor families. While authors such as Lewis (1959) or Wacquant (2000 ; 2001) claim that structural disadvantages are linked to a particular type of identity or culture, others such as Hannerz (1969) , Anderson (1999 ; 2002) , or Portes ( Portes and Manning, 1986 ; Portes and Jensen, 1989 ) believe that it is possible to find different behaviors, expectations, decision–making processes, and outcomes among people living in seemingly identical structural conditions ( Small et al., 2010 ). Using Santiago, Chile, as a case study, we differentiate five different cultures or identities among the poor. Those identities seem to be the product of different historical and political circumstances, as well as of different types of public policies. The paper ends with a discussion of the need for poverty reduction policies to consider these differences among the poor.

Adopting Islamic microfinance as a mechanism of financing small and medium enterprises in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ssemambo Hussein Kakembo ◽  
Muhamad Abduh ◽  
Pg Md Hasnol Alwee Pg Hj Md Salleh
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Alternative Scheme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Islamic Microfinance ◽  
Financial Challenges ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeDespite the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in strengthening the financial sector within developing and emerging economies through providing employment opportunities to the rural and urban population, capacity building in the form of skills training and economic empowerment, they still face a plethora of challenges that continue to threaten their existence, performance and growth. Access to operational and administrative funds needed to execute their activities effectively is a significant challenge and detrimental to the growth of SMEs in Uganda. Conversely, Islamic microfinance has been noted as a panacea to the challenges of financial inaccessibility among SMEs, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate how the adoption of Islamic microfinance can play a fundamental role in enhancing the sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) while meeting the financing challenges of SMEs in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a review of existing literature was carried out to critically examine relevant information (literature sources) and empirical studies on SMEs, their performance and challenges. The study being conceptual tries to understand how Islamic microfinance could be adopted as an alternative scheme of financing to bridge the gap and mitigate the financial challenges facing SMEs.FindingsThe study finds that the existing MFIs have failed to achieve their objectives of providing financial services to the poor and SMEs while remaining sustainable. This has left the majority of SMEs within Uganda's informal sector financially handicapped, thus leading to their failure in meeting their expectations and eventually collapsing even before celebrating their third or fourth birthdays. However, the enactment into law of the Financial Institutions Amendment Act 2016 that paved the way for the introduction of Islamic finance in Uganda, and the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders' Act, 2016 that incorporated the aspects of Islamic microfinance within the existing microfinance framework as seen and is perceived as a key factor in addressing the financial challenges faced by MFIs and the SMEs if fully adopted.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conceptual with no empirical investigation and discussion of key theories. On the contrary, it will be imperative and useful when carrying out more extensive hypothetical studies by future researchers, specifically in the area of Islamic microfinance that is relatively new in Uganda.Practical implicationsPractically, this paper will serve as a guide to policymakers and practitioners in the field of microfinance by adding a flair that could enable in bridging the challenges associated with inadequate financing of SMEs in Uganda.Social implicationsSocially, the social aspects of charity (Zakah and Sadaqah) will help to improve the livelihood of the poorest of the poor who cannot engage in active business through meeting their basic needs of life without begging thereby preventing them from being social outcasts.Originality/valueThe study establishes Islamic microfinance (IMF) as a promising and unexplored viable option potentially needed in intensifying the financing needs of SMEs in Uganda. The paper provides an entirely new dimension in nature and way microfinance products should be structured with a view of ensuring that there is sustainable provision of financial services to SMEs. The paper adds real value to the existing conventional microfinance products and services in Uganda, given the ethical and moral attributes of Islamic microfinancing practices that are assumed to efficiently and effectively motivate SME owners and other small entrepreneurs to thrive.

Financial Inclusion in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Rohit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The concept of Financial Inclusion is not a new one. It has become a catchphrase now and has attracted the global attention in the recent past. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been a global problem. It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people around the world do not have access to formal sources of banking and financial services. India is said to live in its villages, a convincing statement, considering that nearly 72% of our population lives there. However, a significant proportion of our 650,000 odd villages does not have a single bank branch to boast of, leaving swathes of the rural population in financial exclusion. RBI has reported that the financial exclusion in India leads to the loss of GDP to the extent of one per cent (RBI, Working Paper Series (DEPR): 8/2011). Financially excluded people, consistently, depend on money lenders even for their day to day needs, borrowing at excessive rates to finally get caught in a debt trap. In addition, people in far-off villages are completely unaware of financial products like insurance, which could protect them in adverse situation. Therefore, financial inclusion is a big necessity for our country as a large chunk of the world's poor resides here. Access to finance by the poor and vulnerable groups is a prerequisite for poverty reduction and social cohesion. Present paper is an attempt to highlight the present efforts of financial inclusion in India its future road map, its challenges etc.

ICTs as Tools for Poverty Reduction

2011 ◽  
pp. 208-220
Author(s):  
Zaipuna O. Yonah ◽  
Baanda A. Salim
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Ict Policy

This chapter attempts to enhance the understanding and knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in relation to the Tanzania National ICT Policy as a case study. The authors extensively explore these pervading technologies as they impact on the education, commerce, social, cultural, and economic life of the poor Tanzanian people. The chapter looks at how Tanzania is coping with the issue of poverty eradication as one of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It addresses the issue of digital divide and the role that ICTs can play in poverty reduction. Tanzania’s efforts in embracing ICTs and the challenges facing the country in its efforts are also addressed. Overall, the chapter demonstrates that ICTs are a set of tools for knowledge sharing, which is a powerful means for poverty reduction. Furthermore, it is advisable to focus on information literacy rather than just focusing on computer literacy.

Farmers' preferences and willingness to pay for microcredit in Benin: results from in-the-field choice experiments in Benin

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tchekpo Fortune Ogouvide ◽  
Ygue Patrice Adegbola ◽  
Roch Cedrique Zossou ◽  
Afio Zannou ◽  
Gauthier Biaou
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Choice Modelling ◽  
Attribute Importance ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis document analyses farmers' preferences and willingness to pay (CAP) for microcredit, in order to facilitate their access in rural areas.Design/methodology/approachData are based on a discrete choice experiment with 400 randomly selected farmers from 20 villages of the 7 Benin agricultural development hubs (ADHs). The preference choice modelling was performed using mixed logit (MXL) and latent class logit (LCL) models. Farmers' willingness to pay for each preferred attribute was estimated. The endogenous attribute attendance (EAA) model was also used to capture attribute non-attendance (ANA) phenomenon.FindingsThe results indicate that, on average, farmers prefer individual loans, low interest rates, in kind + cash loans, cash loans, disbursement before planting and loans with at least 10-month duration. These preferences vary according to farmers' classes. Farmers are willing to pay higher or lower interest rates depending on attribute importance. The estimate of the EAA model indicates that, when taking the ANA phenomenon into consideration, people will show stronger attitudes regarding WTP for important factors.Research limitations/implicationsBased on these results from Benin, microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing countries can, based on the interest rates currently charged, attract more farmers as customers, reviewing the combination of the levels of the attributes associated with the nature of the loan, the type of loan (individual or collective), the disbursement period of funds, the waiting period of the loan and the loan duration. However, the study only considered production credit, ignoring equipment or investment credit.Practical implicationsThe document provides information on the key factors that can facilitate producers' access to MFI products and services.Social implicationsFacilitating small farmers' access to financial service will contribute to poverty reduction.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the knowledge of the attributes and attribute levels favoured by farmers when choosing financial products and the amounts they agree to pay for these attributes. The implementation of the results would facilitate small producers' access to financial services; thus contributing to poverty reduction.

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